VFX102
Begins: November 1, 2004
VFXTalk.com is proud to announce VFX102
All AWN Content
Playtone Mines City of Ember for Feature Film
Playtone has secured the film rights for Jeanne DuPrau's young adult bestseller, THE CITY OF EMBER, reports VARIETY. Partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are negotiating with Caroline Thompson (EDWARD SCISSORHANDS) to write the screenplay and Gil Kenan to make his directorial debut. Walden Media is in talks to co-produce and co-finance the picture.
Kidman In Talks for Flushed Away
Nicole Kidman is in talks to voice a streetwise sewer rat in DreamWorks upcoming animated film FLUSHED AWAY. The film is being written by Dick Clement and Ian LaFrenais. Hugh Jackman has been named as the lead character Roddy with Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis playing a villainous frog and his hench-rat Spike, respectively. The story follows pampered uptown British rat named Roddy, who after being flushed down the toilet into the sewers of London, must learn how to survive in the real world.
ASIFA-Hollywood Hosts Incredible Screening with Brad Bird
ASIFA-Hollywood is hosting a screening of Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animations THE INCREDIBLES, followed by a Q&A with director Brad Bird. The event is for members only and includes a desert reception. RSVP is required to (818) 295-5213.
The Grudge Wins Halloween Box Office
Sonys horror hit, THE GRUDGE, led the box office chart for the second week in a row, scaring up $21.8M over the Halloween weekend ended Oct. 31, 2004, on its way to $70.6M. Universals Ray Charles biopic, RAY, debuted at number two with $20M, while Lions Gates SAW bowed in third place with $18.2M. DreamWorks 3D-animated SHARK TALE slipped to fourth with $7.5M and a whopping cume of $146.8M. Miramaxs SHALL WE DANCE? finished fifth with $6.2M and $33.9M.
VFXWorld Moderates Sky Captain Panel Tomorrow at iHollywood Forum
iHollywood Forum will host its third annual Digital Studio Summit on Nov. 2, 2004, at the Monica Laemmle Theatre in Santa Monica, California, from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Post Logic Relocates creocollective to Hollywood
Post Logic Studios will relocate its visual effects boutique creocollective from Santa Monica to the Hollywood facility, which was recently renovated with a digital intermediate theater.
With this move, creocollective feature film and commercial clients will be able to take advantage of on-site DI, restoration, audio post-production and HD mastering services to complement creocollectives slate of high-end visual effects, 3D and compositing capabilities.
Hellboy Director’s Cut DVD Delivers Improved Story
As anticipated Guillermo del Toros recently released directors cut of HELLBOY on DVD (Columbia TriStar Home Ent. $34.95) offers minor improvements in characterization to make this a worthwhile purchase, along with several additional bonus features on this three-disc set. The new footage sheds light on Rasputin and Ilsa as well as greater interplay between Myers and Liz Sherman. New footage is seamlessly integrated into the feature with no loss in quality.
New bonus features include:
Miller Joins mental images
Phillip Miller has been appointed evp of business development of mental images U.S. subsidiary, mental images Inc. Miller joins mental images with a noteworthy career of defining and promoting leading software solutions at Autodesk, Discreet, and Instant Effects in addition to architectural design.
Syndicate Creates VFX Metropolis for BT Networking Spot
The Syndicate brought all of its visual effects acumen to bear on BT-ICT NETWORKING, a 60-second spot for BT, the British telecom giant, from St. Luke's, London. H.S.I.'s Joseph Kahn, working through London-based production company, Exposure Films, directed the commercial, which is a metaphor for the agility of BT-networked businesses.
Sony Announces New, Slimmer, Network-Ready PlayStation2
Sporting a new look for holiday shopping, Sonys redesigned PlayStation2 videogame console sports a slimmer look, is half the weight and is network-ready for play. Its available today, (Nov.1, 2004) for a retail price of $149.99 at more than 20,000 doors/retail locations.
Incredibles Game Ahead of the Pixar Pic
THQ Inc. Pixar Animation Studios and Disney Interactive released today (Nov. 1, 2004) THE INCREDIBLES videogame based on the upcoming film, THE INCREDIBLES (which comes out Nov. 5). THQs Heavy Iron Studios developed the game for PlayStation2, the Xbox and GameCube while Helixe developed it for Game Boy Advance and Beenox adapted the console version to PC/Mac. THE INCREDIBLES: WHEN DANGER CALLS, an additional PC/Mac title targeting the younger demographic featuring an assortment of mini-games has also shipped.
Happy 30th Birthday Hello Kitty with DVD Set
As that adorable feminine feline, Hello Kitty turns 30 on Nov. 1, 2004, ADV Films releases HELLO KITTY & FRIENDS: HOLIDAY FUN, a deluxe two-disc set collection features 10 episodes from the TV series plus two bonus mini-episodes and three all-new special episodes. The collection hits the streets November 2.
In Anime, Home Entertainment, Anime, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia
The Animation Pimp: You Don't Kick a Zombie When it’s Down, You Shoot it in the Head
Zombies attack the world of animation! The Animation Pimp seems to think there coming from ASIFA chapters all over the globe.
Denver Animation Co-Op Halloween Party
Begins: October 31, 2004
The Denver chapter of The Animation Co-op has partnered with several other organizations to create one of the region's largest Halloween parties with 12 plus acts on three stages. The festivities begin at 5:30 pm at Revoluciones Art Space: 3519 Brighton, Denver www.revoluciones.com. For details visit www.animationhighball.com. Members who mention The Animation Co-op get 20% off admission, or get free admission for two when they bring an original animated short to screen at the party. Please contact Denver chapter sponsor Mike Hance (mike@dvmf.com) if you are interested.
Van Helsing Writing Contest
Begins: October 31, 2004
Visionary Cinema is hosting a VAN HELSING writing contest with a grand prize winner receiving a DVD set of the film and a special phone liasion and story submission with screenwriter and director Stephen Sommers. Ten other winners will receive a copy of the DVD. Entries must not exceed 2,500 words and must include Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolf Man. The contest will be judged by three literary specialists/writers. Hardcopies of the story must be submitted to VAN HELSING Writing Contest c/o Visionary Cinema P.O. Box 1722, Glendora, California 91740.
New from Japan: Anime Film Reviews
Animator Patrick Smith takes us on his personal journey through the Ottawa Animation Festival.
Z is for ZAGREB
Begins: October 30, 2004
ASIFA-Hollywood presents a specially selected program of great traditional animated short films from the Zagreb Film studio ranging from 1965 to 2002 showcasing the range of talents and styles this innovative studio is best known for. Films include PASSING DAYS (1969), ALBUM (1983), DIARY (1974), FISHEYE (1980), EXCITING LOVE STORY (1989). Starting at 3:00 pm, the event will take place at The American Film Institute, Ted Ashley/Warner Bros. Screening Room, 2021 N. Western Ave. The screening is free for ASIFA members and $10 for non-members.
ASIFA-Hollywood Presents A Retrospective on the Zagreb Studios
Begins: October 30, 2004
On October 30, 2004, Jerry Beck will host a specially selected program of great traditional animated short films from the Zagreb Film studio ranging from 1965 to 2002.
Films will include PASSING DAYS (1969), ALBUM (1983), DIARY (1974), FISHEYE (1980), EXCITING LOVE STORY (1989). WARNING: Nudity and adult subject matter, mind blowing visuals, and award-winning thought provoking weirdness!
ION Festival 2004
Begins: October 29, 2004
The ION Festival showcases and promotes outstanding animation, games and short films by filmmakers and gaming companies from around the world. ION celebrates the ever expanding worlds of animation and film production as well as highlights their timely convergence with the booming $20+ billion electronic gaming industry. ION 2004 brings together international independent filmmakers and animators and provides a venue for gaming companies to release new products and technologies to eager audiences of early adopters. Screenings will take place at The Culver Studios.
The Big Cartoon Exhibition
Begins: October 29, 2004
Las Vegas Comic-Con, in association with cartoonmogul.com, is hosting The Big Cartoon Exhibition 2004, providing a venue to support and showcase animation art by independent animators from around the world. The Big Cartoon Exhibitors are seeking animated film submissions, no time restrictions, in all genre categories, (traditional, computer generated, Flash, stop motion, experimental), to fill a three day schedule of festival programming.
Monster Lineup Slated for Halloween Weekend on Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network will offer a bag full of treats for the Halloween weekend including a three-hour block on Oct. 30, 2004, to feature the Scary Saturday Block Party; and the Billy and Mandy Dare-A-Thon will take over seven hours on October 31.
Handful Of New Pages Hit Theatrical Release Database
This week in AWNs Theatrical Release Database, we have a handful of new pages for anime, CG films and couple games turned features. For Japanese animation fans, the highly anticipated APPLESEED will be coming to the U.S. in January. Two new CG animated films have been added to the Database Luc Bessens ARTHUR and Gary Goldmans OLLIE THE OTTER. As for games making the transition to film, fans can check out new pages for HUNTER: THE RECKONING and SILENT HILL.
This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for Oct. 28, 2004
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.
In Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Indian VFX: On the Verge of Breaking Out
Anil Wanvari and Anand Gurnani explore the blossoming visual effects industry in India, where 70% of the movies utilize digital magic to wow viewers.
